Pascack Valley Regional’s Suzanne Gilroy announces retirement

Suzanne Gilroy, administrative assistant to Superintendent Erik Gundersen, at her desk at Pascack Hills High School.

After 29 years as the administrative assistant to the superintendent, Suzanne Gilroy will retire at the end of the school year.

"Sue's dedication to our school district is unparalleled," said Superintendent Erik Gundersen. "She has committed the last 30 years of her professional life to making the Pascack Valley Regional High School District a better place for its students, staff and community."

The Hillsdale resident of 34 years, who will relocate to Maine with her family and spend more time with her daughter, Stacy, who lives in Massachusetts, started out in the special services department at Pascack Valley High School in 1985 before becoming the administrative assistant to the superintendent in 1999.

"When I got this job here, it was truly exciting," she recalls.

Gilroy remembers with fond nostalgia her time working with Gundersen, who too began his career at Pascack Valley High School as a teacher before working his way up to the district head.

"I enjoyed everyone that I've worked with, but the best part for me is working with Erik," she said. It was such a joy to see something that was so well-deserved. He's done some amazing things in this district."

The same can be said about Gilroy.

Interacting with children and staff in her role as administrative assistant to five superintendents in the past 15 years is what she says she'll miss most. A mom herself, Gilroy loved being around the schoolchildren. During her time at Pascack Valley High School, she created the Just About Caring Club and volunteered her time helping the elderly and special needs children. She also organized the American Cancer Society's "Relays for Life" at the district, visited sick children at Hackensack University Medical Center, and paid visits to Hillsdale House, at which she gave manicures to the seniors citizens.

As part of her role as assistant to the superintendent, Gilroy helped teachers get permanent certification, attended board meetings, ran the district's SAT prep course at night, and made lifelong friends in colleagues along the way.

"It's been a very rewarding career," she said, "and I'll miss it a great deal."